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"Quick, Sceptile, dodge it, then use Bullet Seed!" The dark-type fired Hyper Beam at the rock Sceptile was standing on, and the latter jumped onto another, barely avoiding the attack. Then he fired seeds at the Tyranitar at rapid speed, which he blocked with his thick arms.

As the Forest Pokemon landed right on top of his opponent, he tried slicing him with Leaf Blade. The latter countered with Stone Edge, and the two sword-like attacks met in the middle. And Sceptile, unfazed, jumped away from safety, before Tyranitar could get his arms around him.

"Flamethrower, Tyranitar!" Tyranitar unleashed a fire-type attack on Sceptile, who, acting quickly, took cover behind one of the pillars. The Flamethrower was so unbearable that the solid rock Sceptile is using as a shield is even melting!

'Uh-oh,' Ash thought. 'Didn't see-'

Sceptile(-that coming!) He quickly jumped out of the way, back into the air, as the rock completely melted, and Tyranitar immediately spotted his prey. For such a large Pokemon, he moves very fast, decimating more rocks in his path!

The Forest Pokemon watched his opponent heading straight for him. He prepared his fern tail ready to strike, to try to get an early upper hand. But that was just a distraction, on Ash and Sceptile's part. As Tyranitar tried to block the incoming attack, Sceptile did a 360, and instead landed on Tyranitar, with Leaf Blades first!

Tyranitar was this time affected by the super-effective attack. But he recovered quickly, and tried grabbing for Sceptile again. Luckily, Sceptile was more nimble, and Tyranitar still couldn't catch him.

"Rock Slide, Tyranitar!" Drake commanded. The Armor Pokemon slammed his thick fists onto a nearby rock, shattering it to large chunks. He then started throwing them at Sceptile in quick sucession. Ash's Pokemon expertly dodged many of the showering rocks. However, his evasion is not perfect, and one large boulder managed to hit him by the right leg!

Sceptile, wincing, landed on the ground, grabbing his leg in pain. This time his opponent caught up with him, and tried scoring another Stone Edge. The Forest Pokemon, on his knees, grabbed the sharp edges of his opponent's attacks between his hands.

"Bullet Seed!" The Forest Pokemon fired another round of seeds at the thick hide of Tyranitar. But the Pokemon pressed on, taking Sceptile even lower on his knees. And it's not helping his injured leg any better!

Sceptile felt the full weight of Tyranitar bearing down on him, and his injured right leg. Flames are starting up in the Armor Pokemon's mouth, meaning he will fire another Flamethrower!

"Quick, Sceptile, while holding his arms, use Leaf Blade!" In one split second, the Forest Pokemon let go, then crunched his forearms together to replace them from holding Stone Edge. The two attacks clashed with each other, and Sceptile, because his attack is effective against Tyranitar. Now Ash's Pokemon has the upper hand!

Tyranitar was knocked back, his Flamethrower delayed, and Sceptile stood upright. "Don't let him recover, Sceptile, keep hitting him with Leaf Blade!" Ash called. The Forest Pokemon ignored the pain in his leg as he dashed forward, targetting another Leaf Blade at his opponent.

Sceptile kept slashing at Tyranitar with continous Leaf Blades, the latter wincing at every hit. Tyranitar was given an allowance when his opponent put too much pressure to his leg, and flinching himself.

"Flamethrower!" Drake ordered.

"Quick, Sceptile, get out of the way!" Putting the pressure on his left leg instead, the Forest Pokemon jumped out of the Armor Pokemon's range. Tyranitar tried grabbing Sceptile's fern-tail, but was, fortunately for Ash, unsucessful.

Sceptile somersaulted over Tyranitar's head, firing Bullet Seed while falling upside-down in the air. The back of Tyranitar's head felt the small-but-terrible projectiles. Sceptile, spun vertically once, landing on his feet. Ignoring the pain again, he jumped towards his opponent, Leaf Blades glowing again.

"Sandstorm, Tyranitar!" Before Sceptile closed in on his opponent, sand began blowing out of tiny holes in the spikes of Tyranitar! Just as Drake commanded, a sandstorm blew all around the arena, blinding Sceptile!

'Oh, no,' Ash thought, shielding his eyes from the storm. 'Sceptile won't be able to see him now!' Sceptile tried peering through the sand-like veil, but nothing going. Now, Tyranitar is invisible, and Ash's Sceptile doesn't know where he'll strike. "Sceptile, listen to the sound he makes so you can tell where he is!"

The Forest Pokemon closed his eyes, and sharpened his hearing for the environment. He heard a crunching of the rocks behind him. He turned around, and fired Bullet Seed in that direction. Nothing was hit by the seeds, and then, Tyranitar popped out of nowhere to Sceptile's left!

The Armor Pokemon was sucessful in his surprise attack. His claws balled into one, tried a Rock Smash to Sceptile's head. The latter jumped backwards, and the Rock Smash hit the ground where he stood before! A close call...

Tyranitar disappeared as quickly as he reappeared. Sceptile struggled to his feet, grimacing at the disadvantage he's in. He can't beat Tyranitar if he can't see him! Unless, Sceptile doesn't have to...

"Frenzy Plant, Sceptile!" Ash shouted over the roar of the sandstorm. Sceptile, eyes glowing green, slammed his fists into the ground. The ground shook from different parts of the arena, and Tyranitar, from somewhere, found himself surrounded by large, thorned vines!

The vines bore down on him like a tidal wave, but, Drake ordered, "Flamethrower!" The firetype attack scorched through the plant-life, and this is what Ash and his Sceptile have been waiting for. Even though he was blinded by sand, Sceptile could see, or more rather, feel, Tyranitar's heat due to Flamethrower.

After recovering from Frenzy Plant, Sceptile immediatley dashed in the direction of the heat of Tyranitar's Flamethrower. The Armor saw him coming, and readied Stone Edge. Again, the two swords clashed, and Sceptile made sure never to let go of Tyranitar so he won't be out of sight again.

But, Tyranitar struck a Stone Edge to Sceptile's jaw, and he was able to disappear again! Sceptile, recovering from the blow, used Frenzy Plant for the same strategy as before. This time, to avoid detection, the Armor Pokemon used Stone Edge instead to cut the vines.

Still, Sceptile telepathically knew where his Frenzy Plants are growing, so he dashed right to where he felt them being cut loose. Tyranitar fired Flamethrower in his opponent's direction, sensing the approach. Sceptile used Frenzy Plant again, to temporarily shield him, while he ran in another direction.

Drake seems to know what's going on in the battle, even despite the Sandstorm. He frowned at Sceptile's continous use of Frenzy Plant. "You shouldn't be letting your Pokemon use his Hyper Beam too much, Ash," he shouted to his opponent.

Our hero, however, couldn't hear Drake's warning. He was concentrating too hard on the battle, which he can't even see. Back to the battle, Sceptile has Tyranitar in his sights again, and was locking swords again. The pain in Sceptile's leg has gone numb to him, and, even with Frenzy Plant, he is in his prime.

Tyranitar used his thick tail for a Slam, which his opponent expertly dodged. Sceptile jumped into he air, and used Slam himself, then supplemented it with a combination Leaf Blade and Bullet Seed. After that, he tried landing on his hands, but slipped! Shocked, Sceptile felt his entire body going numb!

Sceptile(Wha- What's going on?) Tyranitar loomed over him, and delivered another Rock Smash. Sceptile barely avoided the attack, and was stung by the rock chunks that flew from the attack.

Ash, unaware of what's happening to his Pokemon internally, called out his next command. "Use Frenzy Plant to trap Tyranitar, Sceptile!" The Forest Pokemon pounded his fists on the ground again, causing more vines to grow out of them. Sceptile is breathing heavily, as he watched Tyranitar get devoured by the sea of vines.

---

Ash and Pikachu, who was beside him all this time, were straining their eyes trying to see what's happening in the sandstorm. The former was anxious, as to what may have happened to Sceptile.

Suddenly, the sandstorm died down. The sand took a little time to fall, so visibility was still impossible for a few more seconds. Ash saw, in the middle of the arena, is the prone figure of his Sceptile!

"What happened?!" Ash shouted. Without warning, he jumped into the arena, to check on his fallen Pokemon. Drake followed suit, a grim look on his face.

Sceptile opened one eye at his trainer. He tried standing up, but could barely get off the ground. Drake crossed his arms around his chest. "That's what happens when a Hyper Beam exceeds its use, Ash. You shouldn't have put too much strain on your Sceptile..."

"I- I didn't know," Ash rasped, while the crowd was speechless at the happening. "I'm sorry, Sceptile..."

"Sceptile(Sorry, Boss... I couldn't make it...)

Ash recalled his Forest Pokemon into his Pokeball, and so did Drake with Tyranitar. At the point when the trainers returned to their posts, did the referee make his announcement.

"Sceptile is unable to battle. The winner of the fourth round: Tyranitar!" This caused a mixed reaction with the audience. One half wanted the battle to be continued, for the sake of excitement. The other half was sympathizing with Ash, wanting to see him defeat Drake(or, in general, have a new champion of the Elite Four). May and company, of course, are with the latter.

'Not good,' Ash thought, Sceptile's Pokeball still in his hand. 'We're tied, with two each.' "This last battle will decide everything!" he shouted to Drake, then turned to Pikachu. "Well, this is it, partner. All or nothing..."

Pikachu nodded, then jumped into the field. Drake smiled, and called out-

"GO, Salamence!" The Flame Pokemon appeared. The Salamence circled in the air for a second before landing right in front of Pikachu. Ash and Pikachu both looked at their opponent apprehensively. And so, this is it. Ash and Drake battling with their first and signature Pokemon. It all comes down to this...

"Last round: Pikachu vs. Salamence. BEGIN!"

"Salamence, start with Dragonbreath!"

"Pikachu, dodge it with Agility!" Pikachu used his quick feet to evade the yellow flames of Salamence. For some reason, Drake isn't telling his Pokemon to take off.

Ash's Pikachu dashed behind his opponent, and the trainer gave his next command. "Charge Beam!" The Electric Mouse's cheek sacs started gathering energy, and fired a concentrated yellow beam at Salamence.

The Dragon Pokemon, unable to evade, felt the full force of the attack. However, he was still able to move, as the next moment he finally took off ! Salamence flew straight upwards, then circled around, Pikachu in his sights.

"Fire Blast!" Salamence's flames form the Japanese letter for "fire", going straight for Pikachu. The latter was immobile, and, just as the fire-type attack hit, he dissolved! Pikachu must have used Double Team!

Pikachu appeared out of thin air just behind Salamence when he landed again. Pikachu jumped straight towards his opponent, with an electrically charged Volt Tackle! Drake's Salamence was hit at the underbelly, but Pikachu's not finished.

"Iron Tail, Pikachu!" After the Tackle, Pikchu spun around, swinging his hardened tail for another hit.

"Dodge it, Salamence" This time Salamence was prepared, and grabbed the glowing tail before it connected. Tail in hand, the blue Pokemon slammed Pikchu to the ground like a mere rag doll!

Pikachu rose on all fours, wincing at the impact. He grimaced at Salamence, who didn't turn away, and instead gave a hard, frightening stare of his own. It's natural, Salamence's ability is Intimidate...

"This is not good," Brock said, repeating Ash's words. "Pikachu may have the type advantage, but Drake's Salamence has the upper hand in terms of strength."

"It could still go either way, right?" May asked worriedly. She was on her feet, and Pichu was still waving that cheering flag in her arms.

"I don't know, May," was all the breeder could say.

"All we could do now," Misty assured May, "is wait..."

'Come on, Pikachu, don't let your entire family down!' Meowth shouted in his head, though he was sure Pikachu wouldn't hear him. The Scratch Cat, and the rest of the ex-Rockets were so absorbed in watching the match that they were completely oblivious to the customers, of course including Brock, calling their attention.

Ash decided that close-range attacks were too risky for Charizard's power, so, "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded. The Electric Mouse charged up again, and unleashed a Thunderbolt to his opponent. Salamence evaded it, and countered with Flamethrower.

Pikachu used Agility again to protect himself from the fire-type attack. He jumped to a nearby pillar, scaling it with Agility, to gain an equal level with the airborne Charizard. Drake's Salamence broke through the rock pillar with a slice of Steel Wing, and Pikachu, at the last second, jumped onto the larger Pokemon's back.

"Thunder!" Pikachu charged up again, while Salamence flew at great speeds to get his opponent off his back. Pikachu jumped to the dragon's head, dug his claws through the rough black skin, and unleashed the most powerful electric-type attack.

After feeling the force of Thunder, Salamence was unconscious, nosediving to the ground fifty feet below. Pikachu kept his claws planted so as not to fall. At the last second, Salamence opened his eyes, spun rapidly around, throwing Pikachu off his back, and stopping his freefall.

Luckily, Pikachu was thrown only five feet to the ground, not sustaining any serious damage. "GO, Pikachu, while he's still in the air! Volt Tackle!" Pikachu was on all fours again, and charged forward, jumping up boulders, heading for his still-airborne target.

"Salamence, Hyper Beam!" At the last second, an electrically-charged Pikachu jumped into the air straight at Salamence, as the latter fired the powerful Hyper Beam attack!

The collision of the attacks caused a powerful explosion, and no one is able to see the winner, yet...

CONTINUED...
-I am now a ninja. Mua-ha-ha! Sinks into shadows to wait for his unsuspecting prey...

Stone Edge seems like a Psycho Cut/Leaf Blade type of move in your mind. Intresting, I imagine it being like Rock Throw. Oh well.

-Bulbapedia describes it like that.

Originally Posted by Ze Skarmory

Ha! I knew it! You just edited out Charizard and put in Salamence! I saw what parts you forgot to edit out out that would make it a shiny Charizard instead of a Salamence.

-All I can say is Whooops...
-The title below references the Japanese name of a certain Pokemon that will be featured here.EF76: Return of the Don?!

The powerful blast of Hyper Beam collided with the deadly risk-taking Volt Tackle. A powerful explosion ensued, and as the smoke cleared, only one Pokemon is standing. The dragon Salamence...

The referee, as well as the crowd, was completely stunned. After regaining his composure, he made the announcement. "Pikachu is unable to battle. Victory goes to Drake's Salamence. The victor... Is Drake of the Elite Four!"

"No," May gasped, a hand on her mouth. Pichu stopped waving his cheering flag, and was as shocked as its mother, as much as everyone else.

Ash fell to his knees. He was defeated. And now, his Pokemon have to be taken away from him. Drake looked indifferently towards Ash.

"I have nothing to say," the Elite simply said. He left his stand, to the locker room, in silence, every eye in the stadium watching his every move.

Ash slowly walked to the supine form of his partner, Pikachu. He picked the yellow mouse up, trying to fight back tears.

---

Everyone felt silent and subdued. No one spoke as Ash took his Pokemon to the Pokemon Center. In his thoughts are only one thing, repeated over and over: He and his Pokemon all put up a valiant effort, but, in the end, they lost. All their efforts were wasted.

After Ash returned from the Center, he shut himself up in the hotel room. Only May dared to approach him.

Everyone else were in the lobby, talking about the Ash's loss. It wasn't much of a conversation at first, as none of them couldn't speak. After a few minutes of silence, it was Misty who spoke first. "What now?"

"I hate to say this, but a bet is a bet," Brock said slowly. "That means-"

"Ash has to give up all his Pokemon," Hikari finished slowly.

Max then stood up from his sitting position. "Wait a second. What if we ask Drake for a rematch? That may give Ash anbother chance."

"What if he doesn't?" Brock pointed out. This time, it was Brock who stood up, and began pacing up and down the aisle. "Besides, all of Ash's strongest, are now in the Pokemon Center. From what I heard from Nurse Joy, it will take them a long time to recover."

"That means," Misty said, "even if Drake gives Ash a rematch, he won't wait for them to fully recover, will he?" This returned Max's sullen expression, slumping back to his seat.

'This is bad," Jessie said, mouth quivering.

"Yeah, they're breaking up the team!" James added, bawling. "Is this the end of the show?!" The others just ignored them. Meowth, who was in between, only sighed, silent the whole time. Without a word he stood up, and went out for a walk.

---

May silently closed the door to her room. On the bed lay Ash, his back to her. Pichu jumped from May's arms onto the bed, before she could stop it. "No, Pichu, don't-" Pichu ran around the bed to face Ash, who covered his head in a pillow to hide from the baby. Pichu looked at him closely, and pulled on the bedsheet, by its teeth, to cover Ash up to his neck.

When May went to her side to look at Ash, she found that the latter cried himself to sleep. "Oh, Ash..." May silently took Pichu into her arms, and sat down beside Ash's sleeping form. "I'm so sorry that this happened to you, I am," she slowly said, lightly stroking Ash's messy hair with her free hand.

Pichu is now fidgeting. It has its eyes on the G. S. Ball, on top of the drawer next to Ash, again. May stopped stroking Ash and took the Pokeball, giving it to Pichu. The baby, in turn, kept pressing its nose onto the capture mechanism of the Pokeball, but it doesn't work, as usual.

'This is supposed to be Ash's lucky charm,' May thought sadly. 'I guess it's all just a superstition...' Just then, there was a knock on the door. May stood up to answer it, but left Pichu on the bed, still pressing on the Pokeball with its nose.

May opened the door to find Meowth. "Hey, twerpette, may I come in?" May walked aside to let the Scratch Cat in. Meowth looked at the figure on the bed. "He didn't take it too well, didn't he?"

"No," May answered. "Who would, for someone who just lost a match that meant losing your Pokemon?"

"Yeah, you're right," Meowth said.

"I just wish there was something I could do," May continued. "I feel so- So helpless..." May sat back down on the bed, this time on Ash's side. Jus tthen, the two were broken out of their thoughts as they sensed that something was glowing in the middle of the bed.

May and Meowth turned around to find Pichu has opened the G. S. Ball! All three were blinded by the strong white light.

---

On a distant cliff with a view of the window to Ash's and May's room, Mask stood. He saw the bright light, and smiled. "So it begins. Dialga..." From behind Mask rose the large, dark-blue Temporal Pokemon. Like Kyogre before it, it has a crystal on the dome of its head. "You know what you have to do."

Silently, Dialga circled around the entire landmass of Evergrande City, and an ethereal barrier trailing behind him. The Legendary was fast and silent, finishing its orbit in mere seconds before anyone could notice. Dialga stopped right next to its master. "Good. Now, let's see what happens. This will certainly be entertaining."

---

"Kid!" Meowth shouted, covering his eyes from the light. "What did you do?!"

For some reason, Pichu was clapping. It seems that it was happy about something! May craned her eyes, but they couldn't adjust. She saw a small flying shape circling around herself, Meowth and Pichu. Suddenly, the burst of light imploded, and soon, they were gone.

The bright light, of course, was seen from the hotel grounds below. News spread to the dining room where Brock and the others were. Upon hearing of the incident, they all raced up to Ash's and May's room, but they were too late.

---

May opened her eyes, not remembering what happened. She found herself in some sort of large canyon. Beside her is Meowth, still unconscious. On her lap is Pichu, the only one who was awake the whole time. It still seems happy about something.

"Where- Where am I?" She looked around, holding her head, where it still hurts. She rose up from her lying position, and, at the same time, Meowth began to stir.

"Ow, my aching Meowth," he moaned, holding his swollen lip, where he must have landed on when they fell. "Where are we?" He narrowed his eyes, trying to look around. "This looks a mite bit familiar..."

"I don't know," May answered, slightly nervous. "But I've got a bad feeling about this place." She stood up and picked Pichu up. In the baby's hands are Ash's hat and the G. S. Ball. When she saw the later May remembered everything. "Meowth! The G. S. Ball! What exactly happened?"

"Don't look at me, twerpette!" Meowth countered. "That was the first time I saw that weird Pokeball, ya know..." Just then, a loud roar could be heard from behind the mountains. "Uh-oh... I think we are trespassing... We'd better run and find a place to hide, quick!"

Meowth led May down the opposite direction of the roar. They broke into a run, and at a fleeting chance, Meowth took a look eastward, and saw an effigy with a familiar form, which he recognized in a second. "Oh, ye gads! We're in the Charicific Valley!"

---

Somewhere near the entrance of the Charicific Valley...

Charla, the female bow-clad Charizard, could be seen tending to her nest, which contains three hyperactive baby Charmander. Beside the nest lay another Charizard, snoring loudly. But Charla knows that the other Charizard was faking it.

Charla(For once, why don't you just play with them? That would tire them out, you know...)

(Hmph. They never get tired...) Suddenly, the faking Charizard opened his eyes. He senses something's wrong. (I'll be back...) He took off, to the deeper parts of the Valley, before Charla could say another word.

Charla frowned(Anything to get out of his chores.)

---

Back to May and Meowth...

"Oh, man, oh, man, oh, man!" Meowth kept repeating those words. He was running ahead of May, but he made sure that she's following closely. "How the Meowth did we end up here in all places?!" Behind them, numerous Charizard, already alerted of their presence, chasing them. It seems that the hostility Lisa told Ash about hasn't died down just yet.

"I don't know, but t's got something to do with this G. S. Ball Pichu is playing with," May panted.

"Bad Pichu!" Meowth scolded, quickening his pace. Pichu, however, was oblivious to the danger it put itself, May and Meowth into.

Pichu ran up from May's arms to her shoulders, to look at their pursuers. Pichu waved its arms at them innocently. Then, its eyes lit up, as if recognizing something. The next thing May knew, she was being lifted off her feet, and the unknown force was lifting Meowth as well! Their "captor" is the one seen with Charla before!

Meowth looked behind him to see who grabbed him, and shivered in fear."Ack! Please don't eat me! I'm too gummy to eat!" Meowth then slapped his hands together into a prayer. "I swear that if I live through this, I'm never going to pull match-making pranks on the twerp ever again!"

Charizard(You really should stop calling Ash that, Meowth. By this time he would be irritated by now...)

"Huh?" Meowth said quizzically, at Charizard's words. Then he gasped when he realisd who their captor is. "Ack! Twerpette! It's the twerp's Charizard!"

May was dumbfounded. "What? But I thought that he-" Her voice trailed off, but Pichu was still clapping its hands, happy to see Charizard. Ash's supposdly dead Pokemon, the fastest in the Valley, was able to take his three passengers out of sight safely away from the other Charizard.

The fire-type brought them to a part of the canyon isolated by narrow crevices. Charizard motioned for the three to get into a small cave opening, obscured from view from the main canyon outside. Charizard(Stay there. You'll be safe there for the time being.) He then flew back outside, to guard them from the others.

May was still speechless at their discovery. "How is it possible? Charizard is alive?"

Meowth just fell to his back, exhausted from running. "I don't get it either. That babe right here in the valley said it herself that Charizard is dead..." Then he glanced at Pichu, who was in between them. The little baby is waving the G. S. Ball in front of them, like Pichu is trying to say something. "Hold on a second, Pichu. Let me take a look at that thing..."

Pichu willingly handed the Pokeball to its GodMeowth, who scrutinized it carefully. "I knew I've seen this somehwere before! Now, let me see," he added, putting a hand to his chin, thinking. "Team Rocket was after something like this, I never thought it's legend is true!"

"What is it, Meowth?"

"According to legends Rocket Intel picked up, this was a powerful artifact developed a long time ago." Meowth kept analyzing the G. S. Ball with intense interest. "This Pokeball was said to have the power to trave through time. As such, it is possible to capture a certain Legendary Pokemon with this Pokeball."

"Travel through time?" May repeated. "Then, we're in the past, right before Charizard died?" Meowth nodded. "Meowth, why did the G. S. Ball take us here, in this time? Unless, maybe it brought us here for a reason..."

"Huh?" Meowth said, puzzled. Then he understood what May was trying to say, when he saw her look at Charizard outside their hiding place. "Oh- Oh no, twerpette. I can't belive I'm saying this, but, what you're thinking, that's against the law. That's wrong."

"Don't you see, Meowth?" May argued. "We were sent back in time to save Charizard. Then he can help Ash in the battle against Drake. He won't have to lose his Pokemon!"

"Sorry, twerpette, I said it once(I can't believe I did) and I'll say it again. We're going to break the #1 rule of time travel. Never, ever, ever do anything that might change the course of history! Even we make a little change, it will alter the entire future for all of us!"

poor May so the gs ball is really a time machine? cool! and i can't believe Ash lost, i was sure he'd win, oh well... something's bound to happen, wonder what'll happen to May and others in Characific vally. continue soon plz, this is great

Meowth kept shooting uneasy glances at May. He knows how much the events would hurt May, who was the one who would do anything to help her friend. Pichu, on the other hand, kept crawling outside, towards its idol, Charizard. The latter, who was standing guard so no other Charizard would see them, was slightly annoyed. Every time Pichu walked up to him, Charizard gently pushed Pichu back into the cave with a swipe of his tail.

Charizard's plan? He has to wait until it is dark, when most of the Charizard are asleep. Then he will fly May, Pichu and Meowth to the entrance to the Valley. There, he will notify Lisa, who can take them to safety.

---

May and Meowth both fell asleep waiting for nightfall. Charizard woke them up in a snap, and he took them out of the crevice. But first, of course, he looked around to make sure the coast is clear. Charizard(Get on...)

His charges got on his back. With a silent swoosh of his wings, Charizard takes off. He flew low over the canyon, heading northwards. May looked around, getting a better view of the surroundings.

Multiple Zard were dotted here and there, at the faces of the cliffs around them. Just as their own Charizard said, they were all asleep. May was uneasy, as, any moment, the Pokemon will awaken, and they will start chasing them again.

All seems safe for them, until May sensed stirring from one Charizard, then another. Charizard growled low, cursing his bad timing. He flapped his wings harder, to make them go faster, but wrong move, as it alerted more Charizard!

The hostile Pokemon are enraged that one of their own kind is helping an intruder. They started their chase on their traitor, and his passengers. This brought fear into May's heart, not because of the danger they were in, but the danger Charizard is putting himself into for them.

Ash's Charizard is notably the fastest in the Valley, but that doesn't mean the other Zards are gaining on them. May and Meowth hugged Charizard's back harder as he sped in the direction of the Valley's entrance, which, to them, is like a million miles still!

Suddenly, their flight path is blocked by a Charizard who came from the opposite direction! Ash's Charizard braked so suddenly, that May and Meowth were reeled slightly forward. Fortunately, they didn't fall off, but, in the confusion, Ash's hat fell to the ground.

Pichu tried going after it, but Meowth held it by the tail so it won't. Charizard scowled, seeing themselves surrounded. He slowly landed on the ground, and motioned for his passengers to get off.

"Oh, man," Meowth groaned. "How are we going to get out of this?"

Charizard took his charges right behind him as they were backed against a cliff wall. He scowled at the other advancing Zard. Charizard(I hope you guys know how to get out of here into thin air, 'cause that may be the only way for you to escape...)

These words brightened up Meowth's face. 'Of course!' "Twerpette, the G. S. Ball! It took us here, and it will get us out!"

May quickly rummaged in her pockets, and took out the Pokeball. Charizard stared curiously at it, confused as to what Meowth meant. Just as she took out the G. S. Ball, it started to glow again.

"Yes, it's working!" Meowth exclaimed. "We're outta here!"

"Wait!" May suddenly shouted, shielding her eyes from the glaring lights of the G. S. Ball. She handed it, and Pichu, to Meowth, then turned to Ash's Charizard. "You have to come with us, Charizard!"

"No, twerp-UMMPH!" May gagged Meowth with her free hand as she continued.

"Charizard, you have to come with us," she repeated. "Ash needs you, really bad. You're the only one left that can help him!"

Charizard(I can't go. I have some things to take care of here. I'll be there for Ash when-)

Without thinking, Meowth interrupted him. "Listen, you won't be able to stay any longer- Ooops... Shouldn't have said that!"

For the first time, Charizard turned away from his kin, to face Meowth. Charizard(What do you mean?)

It was like May understood Charizard's words. "Charizard... You're going to... Die..." Charizard turned to her, puzzled. "We came from the future, Charizard, and there you were dead... Protecting an intruder... Me and Meowth..."

Charizard was stunned. Meowth sighed. "Might as well, now that you know everything. The twerpette's right. You are going to die, which, I presume, is after we leave on this," he shortly finished, holding out the G. S. Ball. It is vibrating uncontrollably in his grasp.

The capture mechanism glowed, and it projected a beam against the wall behind them. From the beam,a large black-hole like thingamajig appeared. It's sweeping them like a vacuum, but May held onto Charizard. "Please!" May insisted, nearly in tears. "You have to come with us!"

Charizard stared into May's eyes for a second, before turning away to face the other Zard. Charizard(I can't... I can't leave...)

"Why not?" Meowth spoke up, holding May's hand, trying to pull her into the wormhole. On his other hand is a flying(due to the wormhole, weightless) Pichu clinging, in turn, to the G. S. Ball.

Charizard(I have a family here. I can't leave them now that the other Zard here think of me a traitor...)

"Then we should take them with- Oh, wait, I don't think we have enough time! Yeeeowch!" Meowth shouted. May kept on holding to Charizard, while the vacuum of the wormhole is now pulling Meowth. He's beginning to feel like a rope at a tug-of-war.

Charizard closed his eyes, then he put a hand to May's, which was holding him. With one grip, he made May let go, much to the latter's worst fear. Charizard(Tell Ash... Tell Ash that I promise I'll always be there for him... And this time, I promise you, too...)

"NO!" May shrieked, but it was too late. The wormhole sucked her and Meowth back to present time, leaving the doomed Pokemon behind. But as he watched the wormhole disappear little by little, he saw Ash's hat fly past him going into the wormhole as well. Charizard grabbed it, and held it hard, not letting go. Then he turned to the other Charizard.

Zard#1(What have you done?! You brought humans to this Valley?! That is unacceptable!)

Charizard(What makes you think that that human I helped was no different from the ones who broke in before?!)

Zard#2(That doesn't matter. Humans are no different from one another...)

Charizard snorted. Charizard(That's what you get for living in this Valley for too long! Humans are not all the same! Yes, there are evil humans who care only for themselves, but there is still some good in them left. As a matter of fact, I know two certain bad humans that have since turned good.)

The largest Zard in the group, is the most violent, yet he seems to be the leader. Zard#3(That's enough. We took you in as a member of our kind. And now you turn that away just to protect humans? You are a disgrace!)

Charizard flexed his muscles, and scowled at the speaker. Charizard(Look who's talking. For someone who grew up in the wild, it's highly likely that you have that view of humans.)

Zard#3(HOW DARE YOU! You filthy HALFBREED!)

These last words are the last straw, infuriating Ash's Charizard. He doesn't deny it, but he doesn't like being called that way, either. The last thing we see is an angry Charizard flying straight towards the others, not knowing if he'll survive or not.

EF75: Wow, Sceptile vs Tyranitar was intense! And Ash might have won if he didn't spam Sceptile's Frenzy Plant. And Pikachu did quite well to a Salamence/Shinny Charizard.

EF76:Oh my god... Ash lost... So that means that he has to give up his pokemon! And looks like May, Pichu and Meowth got Celebi'ed! And Mask got Dialga? That's not good, wonder what the barrier did, allowed them to return here? Really bad case of irony too, I can't believe that May got Charizard killed! I wonder if Ash will be so mad at her, that's not good for the advanceshipping!

EF77: And Charizard now knows everything before he dies. Man, I thought that May would like drag him into the warp and get him to battle for Ash again. Or maybe May changed the timeline and Charizard flew up and survived! I really wonder if May changed anything... And the people who broke in before, Ash right?

-You guys are forgetting something. Ash's hat. They(or more specifically, Pichu) took it with them, but left it behind!
EF78: One More Chance

Meowth landed softly on Ash and May's bed, only to be followed by May landing on top of him and Pichu. At the same time, Misty opened the door to their room to find all four, plus Ash, who just woke up from his sleep.

"What happened?" Misty asked. She ran in, followed by Brock and Richie.

"We heard that there were strange lights coming from here," the latter added. "What happened?" he repeated Misty's words.

"No- Nothing," May stuttered, tears running down her cheeks. She crawled out of the bed, ran into Brock, and left the room hurriedly. She even forgot Pichu, who was still holding onto the G. S. Ball. It was also sad, for leaving its favorite acessory in the past.

Everyone was puzzled, except for Meowth. He knew exactly what was troubling May. 'We travelled to the past, only to find out it was we who killed Charizard,' he thought sadly. Ash just scratched his head, oblivious as to what just happened. But he saw May leave, and forgetting to take Pichu with her meant something's bothering her.

---

Meanwhile, Toxicroak was found at the foot of a tree, who seems to be inspecting a small dug pit. At the bottom of the pit, is a dirtied dirty magazine, above another, and another! Sceptile, who was on top of the aforementioned tree, was curious as to the contents of the pit.

The Forest Pokemon jumped down to get a closer look. However, the other Pokemon was too fast, and he covered the pile with loam. But Sceptile managed to take one of them out of the pit. He took one look at it, and his face screwed.

Sceptile(What are these?)

Toxicroak(Nothing... Just some things I took away from Brock...)

Blaziken then walked up to them. Blaziken(What are you two doing?)

Sceptile(Nothing, nothing!)

Blaziken eyed her boyfriend suspicously. She peered around Sceptile, and saw a magazine. She snatched it away, then took a good look at it. Her eyes screwed(as well), then stole a look at Sceptile, who was covering his face in shame. Blaziken(You escape from the Pokemon Center, risking your health, for THIS?) Reaching for her boyfriend's ears for another Fire Pinch, she dragged him in the direction of the Center. (I'm taking you back there, even if I have to drag you all the way!)

Sceptile flinched at the hot, searing pain coming from the ear Blazike was pulling on. Sceptile(Ow- Ow, OW! Come on, woman, it's not my fault! Oh, I swear, I'm going to shave that womanizing pervert of a breeder bald when I get out!)

It looked like Toxicroak was just simply amused, or is it just the goofy smile on his face again? Toxicroak(Huh, now why didn't I think of that? Oh, wait, I don't have sharp blades for hands...) However, all the Pokemon's attention were diverted to a figure racing towards them from the hotel.

May stopped at the foot of a tree in the park. There she let out all her sadness, much to the concern of the Pokemon there. Blaziken and Sceptile stopped their tug-of-war. The former approached her trainer, and May went into her Pokemon's arms, still crying.

Blaziken(May...)

"May..." The voice belonged to Hikari, who walked right over, with Empoleon. May turned around, wiping her tears in the process. However, Hikari can tell something's bothering her friend. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I just-" May tried avoiding eye contact with the other female, but it only revealed her sadness more. "Hikari, how do you feel if you want to help someone, then find out that you only made it worse?"

"Huh." Hikari screwed her face, lost in thought. "I don't know. It never happened to me, yet, I think... Why?"

"It's because..." She was cut off by the sight of Ash, who followed her from the hotel. Hugging the side of his face, as usual, is Pichu. May turned around again, facing opposite Hikari and Ash, who walked up beside her. "Ash, I'm sorry..."

"Huh?" Ash said, confused. "What for, May?"

"About Charizard. I- I-" May broke off, not wanting to continue. She sadly turned, and looked out to sea. The sun is just rising. Is it her imagination, or is there something specked against the sunrise heading right here? It was no imagination. As a matter of fact, not one speck is visible, but two!

The specks grew larger as they approached. At this point Ash and Hikari have noticed them as well. The former recognized the first new arrival, just as she landed on the park close to them. It was Charla, and riding her is Lisa, warden of the Charicific Valley!

The second arrival is also a Charizard. He is different from Charla, that he has scars and bruises around his body. The most prominent of them is a large diagonal gash that went through his right eye, to the top of his snout. Something about this Charizard stirred Ash's heart.

"Sorry," Lisa apologized for no reason at all, getting off Charla. "We made it here as fast as we can. Are we too late?"

"Huh?" Ash asked. "Too late for what?"

Lisa scoffed. "Too late for what?" she repeated. "For your battle, of course! What else do you think we-"

"Oh, LISA! You are the-" The interruption was, of course, Brock, who sped from the hotel just as soon as they arrived. Fortunately, Toxicroak was there, so he was restrained(or, more likely, paralyzed).

After that, Ash turned back to Lisa. "What are you doing here?" he repeated. "Too late for what battle?"

Lisa stepped up to him, and looked Ash straight in the eyes. "You kidding me? I went to all the trouble of finding this place, and this is the sort of thanks I get?" Lisa turned to the scarred Charizard. "Your battle against Drake, of course! You don't think your own Charizard would miss it for the world, will he?"

"WHAT?!!!!" was the single word that came out of everyone's mouths, including Brock, that immediately lost his paralysis due to the shocking news. Ash turned back to the Charizard. Take away all those scars, and you will definitely get Ash's faithful Pokemon! He was completely flabbergasted, and Charizard was a bit miffed that his trainer didn't recognize him immediately.

Charizard(Just keeping two promises...) He stared at Ash, then at May. But the two were just speechless.

It was Lisa's turn to raise an eyebrow. 'What's wrong with all these people?' "You sound like you've seen a ghost or something..."

'She doesn't know how right she is,' Misty thought.

May walked up to Ash's Charizard. There was no doubt that this is the very Charizard that helped her and Meowth get away from the Charicific Valley. 'But how could it-?'

"Oh, by the way," Lisa interrupted her thoughts, rummaging in her backpack, "I don't know how it got there, but your Charizard has it this whole time." From the pockets of her bag she took out Ash's hat! Pichu eyed it with glee, and jumped from Ash's face to grab it. "I guess that answers my question as to who it belongs to..."

Ash wasn't listening. He locked eyes-to-eye with his Charizard. The latter knew what the situation is, and turned around, stretching his wings. This is a signal for Ash to get on. Our hero got on, and, with a "I'll be back," he took off with Charizard.

The dragon Pokemon flew over Evergrande City, the distance between the trainer hotel and the historic stadium. As if on cue, Ash and Charizard found Drake waiting for them on the roof of the stadium. Charizard landed ten feet away from him, and Ash got off. The two eyed the Elite apprehensively.

"I was hoping that you'd come," Drake said, not faltering from Ash and Charizard's gaze. "And I see, that you've found your champion, Ash..."

"Challenge me for a rematch?" Drake suddenly said, reading his thoughts. The camera pans over in the distance, so we can't hear what they're saying.

Hidden below them, Mask is listening to every word they were saying(lucky him). "This," he said, with a strange smile underneath his face, "will be interesting."

---

May glanced down at her hands, watching Pichu savor Ash's hat, as usual. She smiled weakly, thinking all this would not have been possible if it weren't for Pichu. The baby is the one who acyivated the G. S. Ball, sending them back in time.

Meowth, who was right beside them, snickered. He must have read through May's thoughts. "That is one special Pichu you got there, twerpette," he quipped. "I feel so proud to become its GodMeowth. Which reminds me..." He lowered his voice, so only May will hear. "How did it happen? I thought Charizard was done for when we left him..."

May smiled, holding Pichu closer. "Remember what you said? A little thing changed in the past will alter the future." She raised Pichu above her head, who, in turn, held the hat over his head. "We left this hat in our hurry. Ash's Charizard must have held on to it, and-"

"It reminded him of his trainer, enough to give him a will to live." Meowth's eyes watered. "That's the best form of loyalty ever..."

The talking among the trainers present was interrupted by the return of Ash and Charizard. May ran over to him, and popped the first question that came to her mind. "Where did you go? What happened?"

Ash had his head bowed, so May couldn't see his face at first. Then, he looked directly into her eyes, and she could see a fire in his eyes. "Drake accepted my rematch. It will be a one-on-one. I will be using Charizard. He'll be using-" Ash paused, thinking for a second. "He didn't tell me yet."

"When will the battle take place, Ash?" Brock spoke up.

"In five days. I will be training Charizard hard then." Charizard gave a roar of approval. "We'll be seeing you guys until then..."

Ash turned around to get on Charizard again, but Misty stopped him. When he turned around again, she asked, "And where do you think you're going?"

"You really think we'll let you off that easy?" Brock added.

"What do you mean, guys?"

"We'll help with the training," Hikari answered, having the same train of thought as everyone present. "That's much better than going off alone in a mountain, you know. And besides," she added, winking at May, "you can't leave her behind."

Both Ash and May blushed, and Charizard, who was between them, snickered. Meowth rolled his eyes, seeing Charizard didn't lose his sense of humor. He whispered, "It's nice to have you back."

I think I know what Mask barrier did, it stopped the time alteration of the city, so Ash and everyone in Ever Grande City kept their memories (specially important to those who knew that Charizard died) kept his memory of Charizard dying from before. So in the real version, Pichu did not left the hat behind, causing Charizard to not have the will to live, making him die. And yay, for Charizard being back! The elemental Hyper Beam team is still the three 2nd Stages then.

-Here's a clue to Drake's Pokemon. I don't need a spoiler tag, as it's in a riddle, sort of.
"It happened once at the beginning of the Battle Frontier, and once again at the end."
If you figured it out, good, I hope you won't hate me for it for I think it's the perfect way to end an Elite Four battle. If not, eh(shrugs).EDIT: Once again, Oozaru, you saw right through me.

You know, if it wasn't for what Oozaru said, I would have ranted about the whole thing that you can't change that unless you change that and saying how that's physically impossible because of that, and this, and blah blah blah.

Where did Pikachu go? There wasn't one mention about him.

Hehehehe, Brock's magezines gets another one in trouble.

FC: 1761 9350 7870
Credit to RaiBlade for the userbar
Through the Fire and Flames (DragonForce) is claimed by me.

You know, if it wasn't for what Oozaru said, I would have ranted about the whole thing that you can't change that unless you change that and saying how that's physically impossible because of that, and this, and blah blah blah.

-You lost me on... Eh, actually, I didn't understand what you said.

Originally Posted by Ze Skarmory

Where did Pikachu go? There wasn't one mention about him.

-All the Pokemon used by Ash against Drake(except for hospital-hating Sceptile) are still in treatment.

Originally Posted by Ze Skarmory

Hehehehe, Brock's magezines gets another one in trouble.

-Call it Brock-bashing if you may. At least Sceptile's reaction to THEM are not as traumatic as three I don't want to mention...

FIRST DAY:Pichu should be on one side of the screen, holding a card with the number 1. The card's there, but where is Pichu?

Ash and Charizard are seen flying twenty rounds from Evergrande City to Lilycove and back! The purpose of this is to enhance Charizard's stamina in battle. It was uneventful, however, there was a little stowaway...

"ACK! Pichu!" The baby mouse was hiding in the lapel of Ash's jacket. It jumped out, and ran to the top of Charizard's head before the trainer could grab him. Pichu was carried by the wind, falling off Charizard!

Both Ash and Charizard's eyes bulge comically, and the latter swooped in below to catch Pichu. Ash and Charizard heaved huge sighs of relief. But then, Pichu, having fun from what happened, tried it again and again, and again! Ash and Charizard's round just got more exhausting!

Charizard(You really should have Health Insurance for this kid!)

---

2ND DAY: Pichu holds out a card with the number 2 written on it. Suddenly, Sceptile's Frenzy Plant vines crept up behind him and grabbed the card. Pichu spent the rest of his segment chasing after the thieves.

During the round trip between Lilycove and Evergrande, Ash noticed Charizard's flying was a bit off. An expert medical exam by Nurse Joy reveals that the flying-type Pokemon was still suffering from minor internal injuries in the wings.

Taking no chances, Ash had to have Charizard's wings treated, much to the latter's chagrin. He has to be bound to a stretcher. And, only with the combined strength of fellow starters Feraligatr and Sceptile would the doctor able to treat him.

Sceptile flexed his fingers while Feraligatr is holding Charizard down. Sceptile(Just give me a few moments, and I'll have Frenzy Plant ready to ho-)

The Forest Pokemon was interrupted, however, by a Fire Pinch at the ear again. Blaziken dragged him off, in(would you believe?!) concern. Blaziken(Don't you dare use that attack right in front of me. What happens if you get stroked again?)

Sceptile(Oh, GEEZ! I hate to see what you do to people you hate!)

Feraligatr sighed. Charizard was still squirming on the stretcher from the larger Pokemon's hold. However, he froze when Pichu jumped, landing on his snout. Charizard exchanged the baby, with hard and innocent stares, respectively. The fire Pokemoin grumbled, and he stopped struggling.

The doctor, with some assistance from Brock, was able to apply anesthesia via syringe, much to Charizard's dismay.

---

THIRD DAY: Pichu holds out the 3 card, then was washed away by water from one side.

Still recovering from treatment, Charizard is now back at the park. Another day, another bad luck, for him. To test, and improve, his endurance, Ash had asked the help of his friends. The test? Charizard has to endure all the Water Gun attacks of the water Pokemon that volunteered!

Ash and May's Squirtle, Brock's Swampert, Hikari's Empoleon, Sheila's Swampert, Ash's Feraligatr and Lapras, Misty's Politoed, all doused, and bathed, Charizard. The latter wasn't exactly thrilled at the training, but all he could do is grumble. Pichu decided to help out, and, minutes later, was carrying, with difficulty, a bucket full of water. The baby tried pouring the contents top Charizard's tail, or, more specifically, its flame.

The Flame Pokemon just realised what Pichu was about to do, and he snorted a powerful puff of smoke from his nose, blowing Pichu away! The baby rolled backwards on the ground. When he stopped, he saw the turned bucket beside him. Pichu's lips quivered, then began to cry!

"Charizard!" Ash bellowed. May picked up the crying Pichu. "What did you do that for? You know that Pichu was only trying to help!"

The fire-type wasn't pleased at everyone's action towards him. Charizard(Great, just great. I was the one who was almost killed, and everyone's mad at me!)

May cradled the still-crying Pichu in her arms. "There, there, the mean dragon didn't mean it..." Pichu's tears dried up, but was still sniffling. "I should be putting you to sleep, anyway..." May walked back in the direction of the hotel.

Ash, meanwhile, was still looking sternly at Charizard. The "training bath" is still underway, and Brock's Swampert is seen flirting with Sheila's Marshtomp(uh-oh). Likewise, Brock is seen flirting with Marshtomp's trainer. To compensate, Toxicroak was seen dragging both of them away. He had a little problem with the latter, as Swampert is resistant to his signature Poison Jab, but, eventually, the Poison Mouth prevailed.

Feraligatr, meanwhile, instead of helping, was sneezing. It seems that he still has a cold. Ash's Squirtle(You're not helping out at all...)

Charizard rose from his fallen position. It turns out that he was right in the line of fire of the elemental Hyper Beam, and he's not exactly happy about it! Feraligatr(Uh-oh...) The rest of the day was spent with Charizard chasing after Feraligatr, trying to tear him apart. At least he got another form of training...

---

Meanwhile, in Ash and May's hotel room...

May playfully swung Pichu around in the air, to cheer the Pokemon up, before setting it on the bed. "You really shouldn't do anything anymore," May said to the baby. "You saved Charizard's life. Ash is happy enough with you as he already is..." Pichu clapped at these words, apparently pleased with itself. May winked at it, then went into the bethroom to change into sleepwear.

Pichu stole an innocent glance at May's fanny, which is right next to him, again. But Pichu's attention was averted by another object. There, on Ash's desk drawer, is the G. S. Ball. Pichu crawled towards the magical artifact, but stopped short, due to the distance between the bed and the drawer.

The baby Pokemon sat down on the edge of the bed, thinking of some way to reach the Pokeball. While it's still thinking, May stepped out of the bathroom, wearing her green nightgown.

May smiled at the thinking expression on Pichu's face. 'That's cute,' she thought, as she put Pichu into her arms. May sat down on the bed, and grabbed the G. S. Ball. She gave it to Pichu, who gladly took it.

---

FOURTH DAY: The number 4 card is laid motionless on one side. Pichu appears across the screen, pulling on a rope. The rope snaps, and he rolls forward. When he stopped, he's dizzy and all...

This time the training started very, very early. Ash is going to improve Charizard's strength. For this, he called out all of his heaviest Pokemon: Snorlax, 2 Tauros and Donphan. Brock also called over his Steelix and the Pewter Gym's Golem, Misty her Gyarados, and Gary his Blastoise.

Ash tied one end of a rope around Charizard. The rope was then tied to the different Pokemon. The trial is for Charizard to pull the hardest on the rope, carrying the weight of all the Pokemon with him.

The tug-of-war didn't start off too well. Charizard, still recovering from his treatment two days before, was still feeling weak. He immediately collapsed from just the weight of Donphan! Ash immediately ran to his fallen Pokemon.

"Are you alright?" Ash asked. The reply was a swift Ember, blackening the trainer's face. "I'll take that as a neither," he muttered, puffing out smoke.

Ash, however, doesn't give up. He had Charizard try it again and again. People may think that this is being a little harsh on Ash's part, but Charizard doesn't mind. He, too, was determined to get through this exercise.

---

From the Evergrande Stadium, Drake was watching the training very carefully. He is accompanied by the rest of the Elite Four Ash has faced in this competition: Prima, Bertha and Bruno.

"He seems pretty determined to beat you this time," Bruno commented. In the distance, he saw Charizard fly a few feet off the ground, dragging the Pokemon with him, but immediately dropped back to solid ground.

"Good," Drake said shortly. "I don't want to fight him in a weak state. That Pokemon... It's the strongest he has... I am looking forward to our battle." He had in his hand a Master Ball. "I will be using the Pokemon that saved my life all those years ago."

The others were taken aback. "Do you really think that Pokemon is appropriate for this battle?" Bertha spoke up. "That Pokemon-"

"Is perfect for a battle just like this," Drake finished for her, though that wasn't what Bertha wanted to say. "A true test for Ash's skills as a Pokemon trainer..."

-It's a water-/dragon-type, and yes, it's a Legendary. The answer is now obvious, isn't it?
EF80: Fifth Day, Hey Day!

Pichu is first seen sleeping, the number 5 card as a blanket and all. When he wakes up, wind picks the blanket up, taking him airborne! Despite that, Pichu remains asleep, oblivious to the fact that he's now a few feet above the ground...

At exactly 12:00 A. M., May woke up to find Pichu with a case of insomnia again, meaning... 'Ash didn't sleep in again,' she thought, with a huge sigh.

Minutes later, May, all dressed up, was knocking at the door to Misty's room. The redhead opened it, rubbing sand in her eyes. "What is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Sorry to wake you at this hour, Misty," the younger girl stated, "but do you know where Ash is? He didn't-"

"Sleep in again?" Misty finished for her. May nodded. The former sighed. "He's really making that into a habit... You really have to keep a leash on him, May, if you don't want him out of your sight," Misty joked.

"I'm not that desperate," May countered, but she has a slight grin. "Besides, are we talking about the same person here?"

(Just a floor below them, a certain squint-eyed breeder sneezed in his sleep...)

"I'm pretty sure that he'll be in the park," Misty said absentmindedly, stifling another yawn. "You know how he is, training Charizard too much that it causes a strain to both of them..."

"Right," May said. "Thanks, Misty..."

---

The girl found her boyfriend right where Misty said she would find him. However, Ash is not training Charizard at all. Ash is sitting on a park bench, lost in thought, while his Flame Pokemon, snoring loudly, is found right beside him.

May walked up to Ash, and the latter didn't even notice she was there. Only when Pichu jumped on to his lap did Ash snap out of his thoughts. May sat down right next to him, and Pichu crawled towards her, stopping so that the baby could be seen sitting between them.

"Is there something bothering you?" she asked. She gave one hand to Pichu, who gladly took it. The baby looked at Ash, hoping he will do the same. But the trainer's hands were not moving, much to Pichu's dismay.

Ash nodded his head yes. "Only a day from now, I will be facing Drake. My Pokemon will be Charizard, and he will be using-" His voice trailed off.

"Do you know what Pokemon Drake will be using?" May asked. Ash sighed, but he did nod in response. Pichu jumped from May's lap, and crawled towards Ash. It stopped so that the baby is right in between the two. "And that Pokemon is-?"

"Promise me you won't doubt me on this," Ash said. "Drake will be using-" A beep sounded in the background, so I can still keep you guys in suspense, you know...

After hearing this, May said, "And you still decide to use Charizard?"

"Yes. "Ash looked at the sleeping Pokemon beside them. Pichu followed his gaze, jumped off the bench, and went to the front of Charizard. The larger Pokemon just grumbled sleepily, then turned on his side, his back to Pichu. The baby circled him, stopping in front of Charizard again. The fire-type yawned, puffing out black smoke, which caused Pichu to cough slightly.

"Hey, May," Ash said suddenly. "I'm going to see Pikachu. Want to come along?" May nodded, and, after picking up Pichu, the pair went to the Pokemon Center.

---

In the Pokemon Center's main recovery room, Ash could see all five of his Pokemon. They still haven't fully healed from their injuries, but, otherwise, they're fine. Ash smiled weakly at his recovering Pokemon. "So, guys," he said uneasily, "how are things feeling with you?"

The Pokemon answered with weak, but energised, replies. They don't want to worry their beloved trainer too much, you know. Ash smiled at their response, then walked past them, to the last bed in the row. There lay his yellow Pokemon partner, Pikachu, the only one of the five still unconscious.

Ash sat down on a chair beside the bed. Only then did he see Meowth. The Scratch Cat was asleep on the floor, and it was apparent that he fell from the chair Ash is sitting on now. Meowth rubbed his head awake, and noticed the newcomers.

"Yo," was all he could say to greet them. Meowth jumped forward to a standing position. He gathered a second chair for him to sit on.

"What are you doing here, Meowth?" May asked as she herself sat down.

"Orders from HQ. Keep an eye on the breadwinner..." To answer their curious looks, Meowth finished, "I meant from She-chu, of course! Who did you think I was talking about?"

Ash just shook his head, and returned to looking at his unconscious partner. Pichu jumped from May's arms to the bed, to take a closer look. The baby nudged the larger Mouse Pokemon, but, of course, Pikachu won't budge. May scooped Pichu up before he can become annoying.

The two trainers and Pokemon just looked sadly at the prone form of Pikachu. "I promise," Ash said silently, "I'm not going to lose this. I'm going to win this, not just for me, but for you, and all our friends..." He clenched his fists as he made that vow.

---

Ash and May stayed in the Center until daybreak. As they stepped out into the early morning sun, Ash stretched, getting ready for his last training session before the big battle. At the park, they found Charizard waiting for them, all ready for training. His weights are there as well, ready to help. It seems that someone told them of the vow Ash made to Pikachu earlier.

"Okay, you guys!" Ash began in a peppy voice. "Let's get started!" The rest of the Merry Twerps woke up to the sound of strong winds, coming from Charizard's wings as he kept on the previous exercise from the day before.

Charizard kept his ground, pulling on the rope tied around him, as the other, heavier Pokemon pulled on the other end. The tug-of-war ensued, while Charizard is still on the ground. He dug his feet's claws deep into the ground as the other Pokemon pulled harder. The rope was extra thick, so it won't break from the strain of both sides, BTW...

ALL the Pokemon in the training are giving it their best. Even Ash's usually lazy Snorlax is helping, without once dropping to sleep. Still, after a whole morning of no progress, he was the first to pester Brock with the food issues.

In the afternoon, Ash was working his Charizard even harder than the previous days combined. This time it bore great improvement, as Charizard was able to take off even with the full weight of a Steelix, Snorlax, Golem, among the many other heavyweights, on the rope!

'Come on,' Ash silently urged his Pokemon. 'Just a little more...'

Finally, it's seen that Steelix and Snorlax are being dragged by Charizard's strength. Brock immediately cut off the rope at the last second, and Charizard took off like a rocket, the torn rope trailing behind him. Everyone applauded, as Charizard's strength is definitely boosted.

But, May gasped when she saw a little yellow dot dangling on the rope farther from Charizard. It was Pichu, and it seemed that it's enjoying the ride! No one knows hopw long the baby could hold on, until Pichu's tiny fingers slipped. As the baby mouse started freefalling, Charizard swooped in, and Pichu safely landed on his back, much to everyone's relief.

Charizard landed on the ground, gently shrugging Pichu off his back. Pichu slid right into May's arms. Charizard(I stand by my words: You should really get Life Insurance for HIM!)

---

Exactly 24 hours after the last card scene...

May woke up to find Pichu with insomnia again. But, this time, Ash is not only there, fully dressed, but he's looming over her, a goofy grin on his face.

"Ash," May whispered, rubbing her eyes as she sat up in bed. "What are you doing up, again? Especially the night before your battle?"

"Just go get dressed," Ash replied with a wink and a grin. He stroked Pichu over the head, nodding in the direction of their room balcony. And there, flying just outside, is Charizard!

May dressed up as told, a puzzled expression on her face all this time. When she stepped out of the bathroom, she found Ash waiting for her on the balcony, Pichu on his head. "Ash," she croaked, "where are we going?"

Ash kept the goofy grin as he took May's arm. He helped her over the balcony railing, and onto Charizard. He gave Pichu to her, and hopped on himself right behind her. Pichu is riding just in front of May.

"Okay, Charizard, we're off," Ash whispered to their ride. The Flame/dragon Pokemon gave a silent roar(how, I do not know), and flew westward, over the sleeping city and to the sea.

May closed her eyes from the midnight breeze that passed her. Pichu, meanwhile, is raising his hands up and down, alternately, like a driver with a steering wheel. May stole a glance at Ash, and his face is expressionless.

The male trainer directed his Pokemon to a small island. Upon closer inspection, it is the same island Ash took refuge in during the race. Of course, May doesn't know about it.

Charizard landed on the beach. Ash and May got off him, Pichu in the latter's arms. Ash stretched, while May looked around the quiet island. The remains of a certain battle(burned trees, flattened shrubbery) are still present.

"Where are we?" May asked.

Ash told her about what the island meant to him during the race. He left out the incident with Mask's men, of course, so he won't worry her. "I just thought we would spend a little time here, alone, for a while," Ash said. He stretched again, and sat on the sandy beach.

May shrugged, and took her seat right beside him. Charizard lay asleep(this time for real) right beside them. At first the baby was just watching the waves curiously, and ran for May, afraid, at the approaching breaker.

Pichu hid behind May, until the latter reached for him. "There's nothing to be afraid of," she consoled the baby. "It's just seawater." Pichu, calmed down by it's mother's words, is now playing by chasing(and being chased) by the waves.

May could only sit a few feet away, watching Pichu amusedly. She glanced sideways at Ash beside her, who was also watching Pichu. However, his face is not filled with amusement, but with concentration.

"Don't worry about it," May said so suddenly, that Ash jumped out of his thoughts. When he looked at her, she continued. "You've beaten this sort of Pokemon before, and I know you can do it again."

"Thanks," Ash said, with a smile. "May, listen. I- Well, I don't know how to say this, but-" He scratched his head, not knowing how to say what he wanted to say. 'Come on, it's in the tip of my tongue,' he thought desperately. "May, I-"

But Ash was suddenly interrupted by something in front of them. Pichu is waving at them, feet in the water. The baby doesn't notice the 10-foot tidal wave right behind him! Too late to react, 2 trainers and 2 Pokemon were consumed by the wave.

Ash and May's heads were the first to come out of the blanket of water. Charizard came next, and the water withdrawed to reveal all of them washed up.

Surprisingly alive, Charizard sprayed Ash with water from his mouth, in place of the usual Flamethrower. Charizard(That's the last time I fall asleep on a beach! I'm glad that I took that endurance training you gave me seriously!)

May looked around. "Pichu!" she called. "Where are you?" The three looked around, and Ash heard a tiny squeak from a small pile of seaweed. May ran right over, and removed the grass to reveal the baby Pokemon, soaked, but otherwise happy for what happened.

Ash sighed, and he and May both shivered. "We should- Uh, get out of these clothes," Ash silently suggested. His girlfriend stared at him, while Pichu, in her arms, dried up doggy-style, soaking them all again. "O-kay... Bad idea. Charizard, fire please..."

The troupe spent an hour drying themselves surrounding Charizard's tail-flame. But May is still shivering right after, so Ash decided to call it a night. They mounted on Charizard, and he took oiff back to Evergrande City.

Along the way, Charizard thought he could have a little fun with them. After making sure that both trainers are feeling fine, the fire-type suddenly dropped himself on purpose! But, immediatley as sudden as his drop, Charizard maintained flight again. However, he kept repeating, getting Ash and May to lurch, getting closer together.

"Charizard!" Ash shouted. "Stop that!" The Pokemon only snickered. Suddenly Ash felt another lurch, this time in his stomach. He groaned, a hand to his mouth. "Ooooh, I don't feel so good..."

May was also attacked by nausea. "Me, neither," she said, a hand to her head.

Charizard's active eye bulged at the sounds his passengers. Charizard(Okay, if it's May, YAY! If it's you, don't you DARE!)

CONTINUED...
-From his last words from this episode, you can tell Charizard is now expecting something between Ash and May that's beyond marriage. Can you guess what?